Things to do:
People come back to Edisto every year because they enjoy the low-key lifestyle. You can take the children crabbing. Go shrimping or fishing. Or just watch the sun set. As the weather begins to hint of spring we all want to get outdoors. The sunshine is calling us to play some golf, walk on the beach, or go for a bike ride. When summer arrives Edisto is at its peak with so many things to do. We don't have to tell you about the beach. Edisto has been a family get a way for generations. But there's much much more.
Bird watchers find a paradise on Edisto and history lovers go exploring. They immediately sense the roots of this community which reach back to the Native Americans (visit the shell mound in the State Park). Visiting the sites of Sea Cloud Plantation or Bleak Hall's ice house give an excuse to get out and look around. And nature, as always, is inviting you to Botany Bay, the State Park, to enjoy the bike paths or to take the short drive to Caw Caw Swamp Interpretive Center. Edisto is, after all, the gateway to the 350,000 acre ACE Basin (Ashepoo, Combahee, and Edisto rivers) one of the largest conservation districts in the US. (http://www.fws.gov/acebasin/)
Celebrate the drive along the Edisto Island National Scenic Byway, www.byways.org, designated by the Federal Department of Transportation. This designation places Edisto alonside such other scenic byways as Route 66, the Alaskan Marine Byway, the Selma to Montgomery March Byway, the Outer Banks Scenic Byway, the Florida Keys Scenic Byway and the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Current & Upcoming Events
Edisto Island Historic Preservation Society
January (Date TBA)
Annual Members Meeting / Hwy 174
New First Baptist Church
843-869-1954 / www.edistomuseum.org
Great American Clean-Up Spring Campaign
March (Date TBA)
Sponsored by EdistoPride, 9 a.m. – noon, various locationswww.edistopride.org
Edisto Art Guild Players
March (Date TBA)
Edisto Beach Civic Center
Ducks Unlimited Banquet
March (Date TBA)
Location TBA
Annual Low Country Classic High School Tournament
The Plantation Course at Edisto
This invitational tournament will feature a field of 20 high school teams from South Carolina (with 5 players each) will be on hand with their coaches. Parents, friends, relatives, school officials, and college coaches with seating no admission charge. Everyone is invited to come out and watch these talented young players compete against other High Schools throughout the State. For information, call the Pro Shop at (843) 869-1111. - www.theplantationcourseatedisto.com
Art Guild Spring Show & Sale
Always the Saturday before Easter
The Edistonian General Store / www.edistoartguild.com
Easter Sunrise Service
Pavilion Parking Lot beach front
6:30 am
Annual Edisto Beach Offshore Challenge
May (Date TBA)
Buck's Pizza & Edisto Marina / www.edistobeachoffshorechallenge.com
Edisto Day Bazaar - Arts & Crafts Festiva
Always the First Saturday in May
Lion's Club - Myrtle Street
Sponsored by the King's Daughters
Back to Nature Celebration
May (Date TBA)
Indigo Farms, Highway 174
Outings all day on land and water with top S.C. naturalists.
Edisto Island Open Land Trust (843-869-9004) / www.edisto.org
Fire Department Fish Fry
Always the first Saturday before Memorial Day
Lion's Club - 2907 Myrtle Street
Bingo
June 7 - August 11, 2011
Lions Club - 2907 Myrtle Street
Tuesdays & Thursdays - doors open 7:30 p.m.; games begin at 8 p.m.
The Tomato Open Golf Tournament Party and Live Auction
June 24, 2011
Plantation Course at Edisto 843-869-1111
Tournament benefits Edisto Island Open Land Trust
www.theplantationcourseatedisto.com / www.edisto.org
23rd Annual Edisto Marina Billfish Tournament - Governor's Cup
July 27 - 30, 2011
Edisto Marina, 3702 Docksite Road
Wednesday, July 27 - 7pm Opening Ceremony blessing of the fleet, dinner, speakers
Thursday - Friday - Saturday Weigh In from 4 - 8 the scales close at 7 pm, followed by live music, dinner and awards. For info contact the Marina at 843-869-3504 or Tournament Director, Becca Smith at 407-463-2082.
www.edistomarinagovcup.com
Edisto Fish & Shag Fest
September 2 - 3, 2011
Bay Creek Park (beside Edisto Marina) - Docksite Road
Friday and Saturday, 3 -7 pm, DJ Pat Patterson
Friday, 7 -11 pm, dance to Second Nature
Saturday
Events begin at 10am
Food Drive for Edisto Food Pantry / Arts & Crafts / Sponsor & Vendor Booths
Children's activities /
- Dance to the Catalinas, 7-10pm,shagcompetition 8 pm
Contact the Edisto Chamber 843-869-3867 or eichamber@aol.com / www.edistochamber.com
3rd Annual Edisto Beach King Mackerel Tournament
September 2 - 3, 2011
Edisto Marina - 3702 Docksite Road
Registration 5 - 7:30pm, Fri Sept 2
Captains Meeting: Fri Sept. 2, 7:30pm at Bay Creek Park
- "No Check-Out Tournament" a Southern Kingfish Association (SKA) Division 3 event.
- Tournament pays10 places with a top prize of $10,000 (based on 100 entries)
- Tournament entry fee is $300
- Saturday Tournament competition hours are from 6am - 5pm. Scales open 3-5pm. The awards ceremony will be held immediately following the weigh in. For more information, call 803-622-7009 / www.buckspizzakingfish.com
Beach & River Sweep
September 17, 2011
Always the Third Saturday in September
Edisto Beach State Park
Sponsored by EdistoPride / www.edistopride.org
Edisto Shrimp Fest
September 21, 2011, 11am - 2pm
Bay Creek Park - Docksite Road
Art Guild Fall Show & Sale
October 8, 2011
Always the Second Saturday in Oct
The Edistonian General Store www.edistoartguild.com
Edisto and Beyond Plantation Tour
October 8, 2011
Always the Second Saturday in Oct
Annual Tour of Plantations, Churches Graveyards & Historic Sites /
Edisto Island Historic Preservation Society / www.edistomuseum.org
Edisto Fall Festival
October 15, 2011Jungle Road
Always the Third Saturday in Oct
11 a.m. - 4 p.m / Annual Fall Festival features arts, crafts, and children's activities.
Trick or Treat at the Creek
October 29, 2011, 6 - 8 p.m.
Bay Creek Park (beside Edisto Marina) - Docksite Road
Saturday October 29th, 6 - 8 p.m. The Town of Edisto Beach will host Trick or Treat at the Creek. Costume contest, games and prizes, table to table trick or treating. Contact Town Hall at (843) 869-2505 / http://www.townofedistobeach.com
14th Annual Edisto Beach Elementary Silent Auction
November 12, 2011
Edisto Beach Civic Center - Hwy 174 at Station Way
Edisto Island Open Land Trust Oyster Roast and Annual Meeting
November 13, 2011
Sand Creek Farm - Hwy 174
Edisto Island Open Land Trust (843-869-9004) www.edisto.org
Edisto Island Museum Open House
November 25, 2011
Always the Friday After Thanksgiving
Edisto Island Museum - Hwy 174 at Middleton Plantation entrance
Edisto Island Historic Preservation Society 843-869-1954 / www.edistomuseum.org
21st Annual Edisto Christmas Parade
December 10, 2011 - 2 p.m.
Always the Second Saturday in Dec
400 Block Palmetto Blvd - toward the 100 Block of Palmetto., Edisto Beach
7th Edisto Boat Parade
December 10, 2011 - 5p.m.
Always the Second Saturday in Dec
Live Oak Landing (State Park Boat Landing down Big Bay Creek to Bay Point
Viewing at Edisto Watersports, Edisto Marina, & Bay Creek Park - Docksite Road
Edisto Watersports & Tackle (869-0663) / www.edistowatersports.net
Edisto Community Chorus Christmas Concert
December 11, 2011 - 6 p.m.
Always the Second Sunday in Dec
Edisto Beach Baptist Church, 400 Jungle Road
3rd Annual Holiday Open House
December 11, 2011
Always the Second Sunday in December
With These Hands Gallery - Hwy 174 / www.withthesehandsgallery.com
Guided Tours
Ace Basin Tours
843-869-3099 / www.acebasintours.com
Botany Bay Ecotours
Led by biologist and conservationist Meg Hoyle
whose extensive knowledge of
the low country will make your experience memorable
843-869-2998 / www.botanybayplantation.com
Captain Jimmy Bell's Edisto Shrimp Boat Charters
843-869-2726 /
Mobile: 843-607-5347 / www.edistoshrimpboatcharters.com
Fontaine Charters
843-303-7394 / www.fontainecharters.com
Island Tours and T’ings “the Pink Van Tour”
A long time Edisto resident; family many generations on the island.
843-869-1110 / www.thepinkvantour.com
Nature Tours, Shelling & Sunset Tours
Edisto Watersports
843-869-0663 / www.edistowatersports.biz
Tours of Edisto
Call Dottie - A long time island resident; family many generations on the island.
843-869-1984 / www.toursofedisto.com
Camping
Edisto Beach State Park
The state park, originally built by the CCC during the depression and opened in the 1930’s. The park includes 1,255 acres and offers 63 camping sites in the main campground, 50 sites in its Live Oak campground. There are 5 rustic sites, 7 vacation cabins and the park boasts picnic areas with shelters, ocean swimming and beach combing, nature trails and a boat landing with dock. The Spanish Mount Trail winds 3 ½ miles through a maritime forest. The ACE Basin interpretive center is a must see when on Edisto. 866-345-7275 (Camping and cabin reservations) / 843-869-2156 (Reservations within next 3 days) /
www.SouthCarolinaParks.com
Fishing/Crabbing/Shrimping /Boating/Kayaking Charters
Ugly Ducklin’ II River Fishing with Steve Fralin
USCG licensed / 19’ Carolina Skiff, up to 4 anglers
843-869-1580 or 843-908-2071 /
www.edistofishingcharters.com
Island Bikes & Outfitters Kayak Tours
843-869-4444 /
Edisto Watersports & Tackle
USCG licensed captains
843-869-0663 / www.edistowatersports.net
Edisto Fishing Charters
843-869-2933 / www.fishedisto.com
Botany Bay Ecotours
Led by biologist and conservationist Meg Hoyle
whose extensive knowledge of
the low country will make your experience memorable
843-869-2998 /
www.botanybayplantation.com
Reefs
Edisto has two artificial reefs relatively close off shore. Built by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources you can find the locations at www.dnr.sc.gov
Fishing Tournaments
Annual Edisto Beach Offshore Challenge
May (Date TBA)
Buck's Pizza & Edisto Marina / www.edistobeachoffshorechallenge.com
23rd Annual Edisto Marina Billfish Tournament - Governor's Cup
July 27 - 30, 2011
Edisto Marina, 3702 Docksite Road
Wednesday, July 27 - 7pm Opening Ceremony blessing of the fleet, dinner, speakers
Thursday - Friday - Saturday Weigh In from 4 - 8 the scales close at 7 pm, followed by live music, dinner and awards. For info contact the Marina at 843-869-3504 or Tournament Director, Becca Smith at 407-463-2082.
www.edistomarinagovcup.com
3rd Annual Edisto Beach King Mackerel Tournament
September 2 - 3, 2011
Edisto Marina - 3702 Docksite Road
Registration 5 - 7:30pm, Fri Sept 2
Captains Meeting: Fri Sept. 2, 7:30pm at Bay Creek Park
- "No Check-Out Tournament" a Southern Kingfish Association (SKA) Division 3 event.
- Tournament pays10 places with a top prize of $10,000 (based on 100 entries)
- Tournament entry fee is $300
- Saturday Tournament competition hours are from 6am - 5pm. Scales open 3-5pm. The awards ceremony will be held immediately following the weigh in. For more information, call 803-622-7009 / www.buckspizzakingfish.com
Boat Landings & Marinas
State of South Carolina Boat Landings
www.dnr.sc.gov/boating/index.html
Edisto Marina Inc.
843-869-3504
Dawhoo Landing at McKinley Washington Bridge
Intracoastal Waterway Hwy. 174
Picnic tables, courtesy and fishing dock.
Live Oak Landing at Edisto Beach State Park
Palmetto Rd. (fee)
Steamboat Landing
At the end of Steamboat Landing Rd. off of Hwy. 174
Small parking area, courtesy dock.
Edisto Watersports & Tackle
Supplies & bait
843-869-0663 / www.edistowatersports.net
Note: Hunting and fishing licenses are required in SC. Licenses are available at the Edistonian General Store.
Boat Rental
Island Bikes & Outfitters
17’ Rogue Boats
843-869-4444
/ www.islandbikesandoutfitters.com
Bike Rentals
Edisto Beach offers wonderful bike trails as does the State Park.
Island Bikes & Outfitters
843-869-4444 / www.islandbikesandoutfitters.com
Edisto Bike Rentals
843-869-4575
Edisto Essentials
843-869-0951 / www.edistoessentials.com
Golf
Edisto’s temperate weather allows you to play 12 months of the year.
The Plantation Golf Course on Edisto
Recently renovated (2007) and restored to its original beauty and challenge, this course ranks with some of the best in SC. Lots of water, bring plenty of balls.
843-869-1111 /
www.theplantationcourseatedisto.com
The Links at Stono Ferry
The course is approximately 25 miles off the island on Hwy. 162. just past the town of Hollywood heading toward Charleston.
843-869-1817 /
www.stonoferrygolf.com
History
History is everywhere on Edisto, a great place to start is at the:
Edisto Island Historic Preservation Society Museum
Corner of Chisolm Rd. and Hwy 174
at Middleton Plantation
This museum is presented largely through private donations and memberships. It has an outstanding collection of local artifacts and interprets the history of the island from it’s earliest times to recent past. Open Tues.-Sat. 1pm to 4 p.m. A small admission fee is charged. 843-869-1954 / www.edistomuseum.org
Edisto Interpretive Center
8377 State Cabin Road,
843-869-6834
Churches on National Historic Registry
Presbyterian Church on Edisto Island
The Sanctuary was renovated in 2003. There is a lovely churchyard
and
historic session
house.
2164 Hwy. 174 /
843-869-2326 /
www.pcedisto.org
The Old First Baptist Church
This is probably the oldest church building still in use on the island. There is a
monument to Hephzibah Townsand in churchyard.
1644 Hwy. 174 /
843-869-2432
Trinity Episcopal Church
Picturesque chapel and churchyard
1589 Hwy. 174 /
843-869-3568
Places of interest (Nearby off island)
Drayton Hall
(45 mins. from Edisto) 843-769-2600 / www.draytonhall.org
ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge
8675 Willtown Rd. (Headquarters in Grove Plantation)
Turn left at the intersection of Willtown Rd. and Hwy. 174
www.fws.gov/acebasin/ or www.dnr.sc.gov/marhe/nrri/acechar/egresman.htm
Charleston Convention and Visitors Center /
www.charlestoncvb.com
Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce / www.Beaufort-SC.org
Walterboro Chamber of Commerce 843-549-9595 / www.walterboro.org
Charles Towne Landing
Location of the first settlement of Charleston www.charlestowne.org/visitus.shtml
Caw Caw Interpretive Center
643 acre park showcases low country natural, historical and cultural heritage. 5200 Savannah Hwy. (Hwy. 17 near Ravenel) / www.ccprc.com/index.asp?NID=206
Nature
Botany Bay Wildlife Management Area
Botany Bay Rd. turn left at end of road - sign in /
dawn to dark, seasonal hunts. Closed Tuesdays for essential maintenance
843-953-9300 /
DNR Announces Botany Bay Opening / Botany Bay Plantation / BotanybayWMA
Edisto Island Serpentarium
An Edisto must-see. Whether you love reptiles or hate them, you’ll come away with a better understanding of their role in our ecosystem. Created by the Clamp family, it sits right on Hwy. 174 just before the Old Post Office Restaurant as you leave the beach.
Seasonal Hours,
Gift Shop & Edisto Visitors
Center,
Indoor Exhibits, Reptile Exhibits,
Fossil Room, and Native Americans Artifacts
843-869-1171 / www.edistoserpentariun.com
ACE Basin Interpretive Center at the Edisto Beach State Park
An outstanding look at the role our marshes and estuarine resources play when you live at the edge of the ocean.
Rare, Threatened or Endangered Species
If you look to your right as you come onto the island you may spot the bald eagle that likes to sit on top of the power pole next to the McKinley Washington Bridge. You may also see wood storks, ospreys and other not-so-common birds. Yet there are a number plants and animals that are not so well known worth looking for. To learn more go here: https://www.dnr.sc.gov:4443/pls/heritage/county_species.list?pcounty=charleston and here:
www.carolinabirdclub.org/sites/SC/edistoinlet.html
Nature Tours
It’s always easier when you’re somewhere you’re not used to, if you have a guide to show you around. Here are some possibilities:
Edisto Watersports & Tackle ACE basin boat charters
843-869-0663 / www.edistowatersports.net
Edisto Beach State Park
843-869-2756 (Park offices) /
www.SouthCarolinaParks.com
Botany Bay Ecotours
Led by biologist and conservationist Meg Hoyle
whose extensive knowledge of
the low country will make your experience memorable
843-869-2998 /
www.botanybayplantation.com
Off Island Nature Tours
Ace Basin Outpost
10232 Ace Basin Parkway (Hwy. 17 at the Ashepoo River) Green Pond
Kayak and canoe rental & tours
800-785-2925
Ace Basin Tours Inc.
#1 Coosaw River Dr., Lady’s Island
843-521-3099
www.acebasintours.com
